Material Handling

Depending on the attachment mounted to the end of its boom, the telescopic handler (telehandler) is used as an all-terrain forklift, crane, aerial work platform, or even an excavator. Its strength and agility have made it essential for most large construction projects. More recently, it has gained a foothold in materials handling. A pair of pallet forks is the most common attachment for a telehandler, and the most common application is moving loads to and from places inaccessible to a conventional forklift.

Reliable handling plays a key role in automated production processes, whether moving individual components, packaging materials, or finished goods. Regardless of the product, the goods need to be transported quickly and safely, without damage, and with a cost-efficient handling system....More

Allow me to preface my article with a recent accident: A maintenance technician was nearly killed when the tilt cylinder hose assembly that was made by an untrained technician unexpectedly failed, causing the mast to tilt forward and stop a few feet from a steel structure. The victim was apparently spared from severe injury, and possibly death, for two reasons. First, he was wearing a safety harness....More

The transfer and jacking of oil platforms, drilling mud tanks, and other large, heavy loads demand compact and robust engineering solutions that can fit into tight spaces and tolerate extreme ambient conditions. Add to this the precise positioning and motion control of loads with variable centers of gravity, and the task seems daunting....More

Depending on the attachment mounted to the end of its boom, the telescopic handler (telehandler) is used as an all-terrain forklift, crane, aerial work platform, or even an excavator. Its strength and agility have made it essential for most large construction projects. More recently, it has gained a foothold in materials handling. A pair of pallet forks is the most common attachment for a telehandler, and the most common application is moving loads to and from places inaccessible to a conventional forklift....More

Edited by Mary C. Gannon,senior associate editor Pneumatics is often the choice in robotic automation applications, where gripping and turning objects is necessary. But when it comes to soft or flexible objects, robots often have difficulty handling ......More